Florida Scope/Beyond Florida – What's happening in Florida and beyond

ONYX MAGAZINE SALUTES PELE

Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died December 29, 2022. He was 82. The standard-bearer of “the beautiful game” had undergone treatment for colon cancer since 2021. The medical center where he had been hospitalized for the last month said he died of multiple organ failure as a result of the cancer. Widely regarded as one of soccer’s greatest players, Pelé spent nearly two decades enchanting fans and dazzling opponents as the game’s most prolific scorer with Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team. His grace, athleticism and mesmerizing moves transfixed players and fans. He orchestrated a fast, fluid style that revolutionized the sport — a samba-like flair that personified his country’s elegance on the field. AP News

Black-owned businesses receive funding, training

JACKSONVILLE BUSINESSES GET FUNDING

The commercial district of Northwest Jacksonville has existed for decades as an area of neglect. Once-thriving businesses have fought to survive amid urban blight that is amplified by dilapidated buildings with damaged facades. In some areas, the asphalt of once smooth historical streets continues to erode, while crime stays high and employment remains low. A consortium of businesses and organizations have launched a program to do something about that, kicking off the Jacksonville Commercial Corridor Enhancement Project on Friday. Organizers include the Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corp, the Black Business Investment Fund and the Greater First Coast Chamber of Commerce. While the development corporation and the investment fund have been working on economic development issues for decades, the Greater First Coast Chamber of Commerce is a newer organization, starting in 2021 to "represent underrepresented businesses of North Florida and Southeast Georgia." In December, Wells Fargo announced the donation of $300,000 to the three organizations, with the money slated to be distributed as grants to businesses in the corridor. The bank also contributed $35,000 to pay for a Moncrief Business needs assessment survey and technical assistance, including workshops to help businesses apply for funding. The assessment survey indicated that access to capital was the biggest issue facing small-business owners in the area, a need cited by 22 of the 30 business owners who returned a survey. Penny Dickerson

REEMPLOYMENT TAX RATE STAYS LOW

The Florida Department of Revenue announced in December that more than 55% of Florida's employers will continue to pay the lowest possible rate for reemployment taxes in 2023. This is the eighth consecutive year employers are benefitting from the low rate of 0.1 percent. Those contributions go toward a program focused on helping Florida's job seekers become reemployed. This lowest possible rate was maintained through legislation passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor DeSantis, which excludes the positive adjustment factor from the reemployment tax rate calculation and requires out-of-state online retailers to compete on a level playing field with locally owned small businesses and other Florida-based companies. Florida Department of Revenue

SEVEN FLORIDA CITIES AMONG TOP 10 FASTEST GROWING IN U.S.

The fastest-growing cities in the country are determined by the net migration of each metro area, which is measured by the growth or decline of the population over the past five years. The percent increase in that period of time is how U.S. News determines the metro areas where the most people are moving. The top 10 cities are: 1. Myrtle Beach, SC 2. Lakeland, FL 3. Sarasota, FL 4. Fort Myers, FL 5. Boise, ID 6. Ocala, FL 7. Port St. Lucie, FL 8. Daytona Beach, FL 9. Naple, FL 10. Austin, TX

Other Florida cities in the top 20, Melbourne #12; Jacksonville #14; Tampa #15.

U.S. News & World Report